Today is the anniversary of the storming of the French fortress-prison, the Bastille, on July 14th, 1789. The Bastille was symbolic of the absolute power of the French monarchy, used as it often was to imprison people on the basis of royal indictments, (read royal whim) which could not be appealed. Once the doors clanged shut behind someone, they were there for the rest of their lives.
The taking of this symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th's Ancient Regime marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Although the Bastille only held seven prisoners on that July day in 1789, its capture was symbolic of the ordinary peoples' fight against oppression, and the rise of the new French Republic's three ideals: liberty, equality, and fraternity for all French citizens.
France has been celebrating today with a huge military parade down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris. Many other celebrations will be held, of course, and not all of them in France. As well as many other places, like New Orleans, La Belle Province here in Canada will mark the day with celebration. I think I will, too, but my celebration will be much quieter. I remember my mother's story of her time in Alsace-Lorraine on July 14th, between the two world wars. Being an immigrant there herself, she was not familiar with the day or its history. She remembers the day itself for only one reason. The children were gathered together, she said, by the schoolmistress who led them in a rousing rendition of France's national anthem, and then gave each one a chocolate afterward. Coming as she did from a very poor family, my mother was sure after that chocolate that France was the most wonderful country ever!
Remembering my mother's story, and wishing every citizen in every country around the world could indeed share in liberté, égalité, et fraternité, I shall unwrap a chocolate and savour it. Who knows? Perhaps a chord or two of La Marseillaise will go well with the sweet.
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